الوعاء 3: النرويج، بنما، مصر، الجزائر، اسكتلندا، باراجواي، تونس، ساحل العاج، أوزبكستان، قطر، المملكة العربية السعودية، جنوب أفريقيا.
الوعاء 4: الأردن، الرأس الأخضر، غانا، كوراساو، هايتي، نيوزيلندا، المنتخبات الأربعة (أ، ب، ج، د) المتأهلة من الملحق الأوروبي، المنتخبان الاثنان (أ، ب) المتأهلان من الملحق العالمي. القنوات الناقلة لـ قرعة كأس العالم 2026
قناة beIN SPORTS الإخبارية “المفتوحة على النايل سات”.
bein sports hd 1
الموقع الرسمي للاتحاد الدولي لكرة القدم فيفا
القناة الرسمية للاتحاد الدولي لكرة القدم على يوتيوب
Aitor Karanka, sporting director of the Spanish football federation (RFEF), assured that there were no tensions between the organisation and Barcelona following Lamine Yamal's shock exit from the Spain squad on Tuesday. Karanka quashed any speculation suggesting further bad blood between the two entities, claiming that the communication with the Catalans is "fantastic."
Spain and Luis de la Fuente shocked by Yamal exit
The Spanish national team and head coach Luis de la Fuente, were handed a hammer blow on Tuesday morning following the release of Yamal from the Spain squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Turkey on November 15 and 18. The Barcelona superstar underwent invasive radiofrequency therapy to battle with his ongoing struggles due to pubalgia. He is set to be out for the next seven to 10 days.
The medical procedure Yamal underwent left the Spanish football federation (RFEF) "surprised", claiming in their official statement that the "procedure was performed without prior notification to the national team's medical staff, who only became aware of the details through a report received at 10:40 p.m. last night."
On Tuesday, De la Fuente shared his thoughts and was perplexed because of the situation. “There are procedures that take place outside the Federation's control," he told . "That's what happens, we have to accept it. I've never experienced a situation like this before. I don't think it's very normal. It has surprised us all. You don't have any news, you don't know any details, and on top of that, it's a health issue, so you're left surprised.”
Advertisement
Getty Images Sport
Spanish FA director confirms there's no anger over Yamal's release
Karanka, who serves as the sporting director of the RFEF, downplayed the noise surrounding Yamal's shock withdrawal from the Spain squad. He assured that the communication between the federation and all the clubs was top-notch, adding that it was in Yamal's best interests to focus on his recovery.
“Discomfort? That’s no longer my concern, it’s a matter for the doctors," he said. "I’ve always said, even yesterday, that communication with all the clubs has been fantastic. I was in contact with Deco until this morning, when the decision was made. And it was done for the boy’s benefit, so that he recovers as soon as possible. The better he is at his club, the better he’ll be for the national team. The national team coach was with him last night and this morning, before he was dropped from the squad.”
“We were happy because Lamine was getting back to his best; he played a great game against Club Brugge and scored in Vigo the other day. We were eager to see him again, but he has these niggles and what we want, both the national team and Barça, is for him to return to being the player who dazzled us not long ago.”
Karanka addresses Hansi Flick's words
Flick was infuriated after Yamal suffered a knock in the September international break and publicly voiced his frustrations over the national team and De la Fuente's handling of the player. "Lamine Yamal will not be available. He went with the national team in pain and did not train," Flick said at the time. "They gave him painkillers to play. They had at least a three-goal lead in every match, and he played 73 minutes and 79, and between matches he couldn't train. That is not taking care of the player. I am very sad about this."
Later, in October, he defended his comments from earlier, adding: "I want to protect my player, support him, this is what it is. A lot of things happened. This is, for me, done. I have no bad things about this situation. I know it from the other side. It's not easy for me. It's not easy for [De la Fuente]. I must protect my player; this is the reason I made it a little louder than normally I want to do it. I don't regret this. Now, the important thing is managing this together. The players, the clubs and the Spanish Federation [RFEF]. We have to manage it together."
Karanka, however, was not too keen on adding fuel to the fire, opting to be diplomatic instead. When asked to address Flick's statements, the former Real Madrid defender said: “That's already happened. Today's situation demonstrates that the national team takes care not only of Lamine, but of all its players. When a medical report indicates a potential risk of injury, the player is sent back to his club.”
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
AFP
When is Yamal expected to play again?
The 2025 Ballon d’Or runner-up will dedicate the international break to recovery work, as persistent pubalgia threatens to prolong his battle for full fitness. However, it is likely that he will be available for the league clash against Athletic Club on November 22.
Without being guilty of stating the obvious, it’s not a great time to be a West Ham United fan at the moment.
The team looked terrible under Graham Potter at the start of the season, and apart from a brief moment against Everton, they’ve not looked much better under Nuno Espírito Santo.
The Portuguese coach has a tough job on his hands to get the Hammers out of the relegation zone, and things have only just got more complicated.
It now seems that Lucas Paqueta wants to leave the club, although his departure wouldn’t be ideal, West Ham appear to have a player who could step into his shoes.
Latest on Lucas Paqueta's West Ham future
As if Nuno’s task to keep West Ham in the Premier League wasn’t already challenging enough, it now seems that the incredibly talented Paqueta wants to jump ship in the winter window.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
At least, that is according to a recent report from the Times, which claims that, despite a move to Aston Villa not materialising in the summer, the Brazilian ace is still keen to leave the East Londoners as soon as possible.
It is unclear just how much money it would take for the Irons to sell, but given his desire to leave, underwhelming performances and the fact that there are less than two years left on his £150k-per-week contract, it seems unlikely they’ll make a profit on the £51m they paid Lyon for him in 2022.
However, while losing the Paquetá-born midfielder would be far from ideal, it might not be the nail in the club’s Premier League coffin that many might spin it as.
After all, even though his talent is undeniable, has the 28-year-old star actually been as effective for the club as fans hoped he would be when he first joined?
Paqueta’s West Ham Career
Season
Games
G+As
25/26
10
3
24/25
36
5
23/24
43
15
22/23
41
12
All Stats via Transfermarkt
Well, across his 130 appearances for the Irons, the former Lyon ace has scored 21 goals and provided 14 assists, which works out to a decent but unspectacular average of a goal involvement every 3.71 games.
Moreover, last season saw him score just five goals in 35 games, of which two were penalties, meaning he averaged a non-penalty goal every 11.66 games, which isn’t good enough for someone meant to be a team’s talismanic number ten.
In short, while the best situation would be one in which Nuno could get the best back out of Paqueta, losing him in the winter might not be as bad as some would have you believe, as he’s barely contributed to the team for over a year now.
Moreover, West Ham already have a creative gem who could potentially prove to be a brilliant replacement in the long run.
West Ham's Paqueta replacement
While there are undoubtedly other ways in which Nuno and West Ham could approach a Paqueta-less side, perhaps the best would be to use Mateus Fernandes.
The former Southampton star joined the club for around £40m in the summer, and while he’s spent more time in central midfield since then, he’s no stranger to playing further up the pitch.
For example, during his time with the Saints, the “exceptional” Portuguese ace, as dubbed by analyst Mattinson, made 21 appearances in attacking midfield.
Moreover, despite playing for a team that were relegated and, for some time, looked in danger of breaking Derby County’s most unwanted record, the 21-year-old still produced six goal involvements in 36 league games.
For comparison’s sake, Paqueta scored just four goals in 34 league games.
Finally, on top of possessing the ability to play “those KDB-type passes,” as Mattinson puts it, the former Southampton ace is also happy to help out all over the pitch, as his underlying numbers show.
According to FBref, he ranked in the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the Premier League last season for percentage of aerial duels won, the top 5% for tackles and ball recoveries, the top 11% for long passes attempted and completed and the top 14% for passes into the final third, all per 90.
Fernandes’ scout report
Statistics
Per 90
Percentile
% of Aerials Won
62.5%
Top 2%
Tackles (Def 3rd)
1.39
Top 3%
Tackles
2.75
Top 5%
Ball Recoveries
5.54
Top 5%
Interceptions
0.87
Top 7%
Touches (Mid 3rd)
26.82
Top 9%
GCA (Defensive Action)
0.03
Top 10%
Passes Completed (Long)
3.40
Top 11%
Passes Attempted (Long)
6.06
Top 11%
Dribblers Tackled
1.02
Top 11%
Pass Completion % (Medium)
85.9%
Top 14%
Passes into Final Third
3.03
Top 14%
Shots Blocked
0.25
Top 14%
Total Passing Distance
569.45
Top 15%
Blocks
1.33
Top 15%
All Stats via FBref for the 24/25 PL Season
Ultimately, in an ideal world, West Ham would keep hold of Paqueta and help him get back to his best this season.
However, if he really is to leave in the winter, then fans should not worry too much, as Fernandes could step in and step up.
West Ham brewing Noble 2.0 who knows "what it means to wear the shirt"
The academy product might be able to add some much-needed fight and heart back into Nuno’s West Ham side.
Columbus Crew manager Wilfried Nancy is reportedly being considered for the vacant Celtic FC job following Brendan Rodgers’ departure last month. The Scottish club has appointed Martin O’Neill as interim boss but is expected to move quickly to secure a permanent head coach. Nancy, who has led Columbus since 2023, is among the names on their shortlist.
USA Today ImagesNancy to Glasgow?
There would seem to be serious momentum towards Nancy moving to Celtic, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that the Crew manager is among the leading candidates to take the job at the SPL club. The Frenchman has been repeatedly linked with a European move, and was thought to be likely to leave at the end of the 2024 season. But he stuck around for the 2025 campaign. The manager has mentioned in the past he's open to a move in the future.
"I've been in situations when nobody knew me, nobody was talking about me, and [now they do]," Nancy said to GOAL at MLS Media Day in January. "Now so with my staff, everything for a moment, works well. So I'm happy in Columbus, and after that, we'll see."
AdvertisementGetty ImagesA solid resume
Nancy has been among the best coaches in MLS since he arrived in 2023. He has led the Crew, a small market team, to a MLS Cup win in 2023, and Leagues Cup the year after. He was named the 2024 MLS Coach of the Year. Before that, he was a narrow second place to the coach of the year award after overperforming with a struggling Montreal side in 2022.
Columbus Crew left back Max Arfsten admitted Nancy might be ready for a European move.
"Yeah, I mean obviously it would be tough if he left just because he's a good coach, but he has to do what he wants for his career, and if he wants to go to Europe and test himself out there, I feel like you've got to respect that," he said at Tuesday's USMNT availability. "It would definitely be tough for us at Columbus, but it's one of those things where at the same time, if he decides to go, you've got to be happy for him because that's what he wants to do."
ImagnA disappointing 2025
For all of his success in years prior, 2025 has been slightly underwhelming for the Frenchman. Before the season, the Crew were considered among the favorites for MLS Cup, but rather struggled as the season went on. They turned in a spirited performance against local rivals FC Cincinnati in the playoffs, but were bounced after a 2-1 Game 3 loss in the first round of the MLS Playoffs.
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
Getty Images SportOther candidiates
Nancy may be among the frontrunners, but he is by no means the only name in the mix. Celtic are also reportedly considering Bodo/Glimt head coach Kjetil Knutsen for the vacant position. O'Neill has won three straight in his return to the helm at the club.
His 159 off 146 balls is the highest List A individual score for Sussex against Northamptonshire
ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay17-Aug-2025Sussex 297 for 3 (Tear 159, Haines 76) beat Northamptonshire 295 for 8 (Sales 98, van der Merwe 59) by seven wicketsScottish international Charlie Tear blazed a record-breaking maiden List A hundred as Sussex Sharks raced to their second Metro Bank One Day Cup victory in three days, chasing down Northamptonshire Steelbacks’ 295 for 8 in style with seven wickets and 19 balls to spare.Tear served up a barrage of boundaries all around Wantage Road, smashing 23 fours and two sixes in his spectacular 159 off just 146 balls – the highest ever individual score for Sussex against Northamptonshire in List A cricket. He shared a devastating opening stand of 216 off 202 balls with Tom Haines (76 off 81 balls) – Sussex’s highest List A partnership for any wicket against Northamptonshire.It was a day to forget for the Steelbacks with the ball, the bowling often wayward and with multiple errors in the field.With the bat, James Sales narrowly failed to post another ton after his century in Northamptonshire’s victory over Durham on Friday, but his 98 off 96 balls was the backbone of their innings.He shared a stand of 115 off 104 balls for the fourth wicket with Stuart van der Merwe who looked at home on debut despite being dropped at slip first ball. His 59 off 60 balls was a proactive, confident innings full of invention.But with just 50 coming in the powerplay and Sales failing to kick on in the final overs, Northamptonshire’s total looked well below par. Danny Lamb finished with two wickets, but spinner Jack Carson’s miserly six-over spell deserved special mention.Earlier Luke Procter (36) and Aadi Sharma (38) gave Northamptonshire a solid if unspectacular platform of 73 for the first wicket in 13.3 overs. Sharma swept Carson straight to Archie Lenham at backward-square before Procter, who passed 1,000 List A runs, fell soon afterwards, giving leg-spinner Lenham a comfortable return catch.Carson bowled 16 dot balls in 17 deliveries, conceding just one run, his initial six-over spell bringing one wicket for just 13 runs.Northamptonshire attacked at the other end instead, targeting Lenham, Sales cutting for four and smashing over long-on.Tim Robinson fell quickly in identical fashion to Sharma, sweeping round the corner to Lenham in spinner Bertie Foreman’s first over. Foreman then nearly had van der Merwe first ball but Haines shelled a straightforward chance at slip, the ball running away for four. Unfazed, van der Merwe drove the unlucky bowler through the covers and began to accumulate.Sales swept Carson over midwicket while van der Merwe sent one over extra cover for six. He scooped Lamb for four before sweeping Foreman to reach 50.Even though van der Merwe upper cut to third where Lenham held an excellent tumbling catch, a big Northamptonshire total looked assured. Sales twice crunched Foreman through extra cover and moved into the eighties in style, smashing Lenham straight into the top tier of the Turner Stand.But Sussex did well to contain as Sales grew becalmed, scoring just 21 in the final 10 overs.New batter George Bartlett counterattacked after being dropped at extra cover, hitting Lenham straight for six and taking three boundaries off a Crocombe over.His luck ran out when he was run out for a quickfire 28 off 18 balls, Fynn Hudson-Prentice deflecting the ball onto the stumps in his follow-through. It sparked a mini collapse, Northamptonshire losing four wickets in 19 balls. Lewis McManus and Dom Leech were bowled by Lamb and Hudson-Prentice respectively before Sales was agonisingly caught at cover.In stark contrast, Sussex’s powerplay saw a wave of boundaries producing 80 runs.Tear was in full command. He played some textbook drives, cuts and clips off his legs, but also attacked, pulling anything short and smashing over long-on before a beautiful straight drive took him to 50. Haines too started to find the ropes even if he was fortunate to gather a six via a top-edge.Indian legspinner Yuzvendra Chahal and debutant pace bowler Ben Whitehouse briefly stemmed the flow of runs, the youngster conceding just two off his first over. But the scoring was relentless. Haines whipped one through the on-side to bring up Sussex’s 100 off 85 balls, while Tear deposited Chahal over long-on.Tear continued to gather runs all around the wicket, a cover drive off Chahal bringing up his century off exactly 100 balls. He pulled Whitehouse ferociously for four more and crunched him down the ground before tucking into a Dom Leech over which leaked 18 runs, including a straight six to bring up the 200 partnership.Northamptonshire finally made the breakthrough in the 34th over when Haines hooked Whitehouse to the sweeper on the legside boundary. Tear motored on past 150, reaching the milestone by swatting Leech over midwicket for six. His innings ended with the finishing line in sight, caught at backward point off Leech. Tom Clark made 34 before he was bowled by Bartlett with five needed, John Simpson hitting six to wrap up the win.
Enfim a primeira fase do Campeonato Paulista terminou e agora o Estadual se afunila entre os oito classificados para a fase final do torneio, que já começa neste próximo final de semana, com os duelos entre Palmeiras x Ponte Preta, São Paulo Novorizontino, Inter de Limeira x Red Bull Bragantino e Santos x Portuguesa.
continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasPonte ou Água Santa? Veja quem o Palmeiras vai pegar nas quartas do PaulistãoPalmeiras10/03/2024PalmeirasRichard Rios descarta favoritismo do Palmeiras no Paulista e agradece torcida de BarueriPalmeiras10/03/2024PalmeirasAbel, do Palmeiras, se defende de ataques do São Paulo e espera punição a Belmonte: ‘Há limites’Palmeiras09/03/2024
➡️ Tudo sobre o Verdão agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Palmeiras
Time de melhor campanha na fase de grupos pelo terceiro ano seguido, o Palmeiras recebe a Ponte em Barueri buscando estar entre os quatro melhores do Estadual, algo que virou praticamente obrigação no clube nos últimos dez anos.
O torcedor palmeirense já faz as contas para saber quem pegaria numa possível semifinal de Paulista, caso passe pela Ponte Preta e o Lance! traz resumido de forma simples quem pode ser o adversário alviverde.
continua após a publicidade
A única chance de vermos um Choque-Rei na semi do Estadual seria se o São Paulo passasse pelo Novorizontino nos pênaltis, o Red Bull Bragantino passasse pela Inter de Limeira nos 90 minutos e o Santos eliminasse a Portuguesa (de qualquer forma).
Em resumo, caso avance para a semi, o Palmeiras enfrenta:
– Se a Portuguesa passar pelo Santos, será o adversário do Verdão.
– Se a Portuguesa cair e a Inter de Limeira avançar, o Palmeiras pega a Inter.
– Se a Portuguesa cair, a Inter de Limeira ser eliminada no tempo normal e o São Paulo passar nos pênaltis, teremos um Choque-Rei na semi.
+ Richard Rios descarta favoritismo do Palmeiras no Paulistão!
Caso o Verdão chegue na grande final, o mando de volta da grande decisão só não seria do alviverde imponente, caso o Santos passe pelas quartas e semi vencendo no tempo normal, e o Palmeiras passe nas duas fases nos pênaltis.
Hampshire 288 for 5 (Weatherley 116*, Varma 54) beat Essex 285 (Allison 80, Neal 2-44) by 5 wicketsJoe Weatherley classily struck his third Metro Bank One-Day Cup men’s competition hundred as Hampshire beat Essex at Utilita Bowl.Weatherley provided the backbone to a well-managed chase of 286 – after Charlie Allison, Tom Westley and Robin Das all posted half-centuries for Essex.Tilak Varma also reached the landmark, but it was Weatherley’s personal best unbeaten 116 – his first century in two years – that made sure Hampshire made it two wins from two, while Essex remain winless.Hampshire stuck Essex into bat and almost immediately struck as Kyle Abbott drew an outside edge out of Matt Critchley.Robin Das and Tom Westley set the innings into place with a 99-run stand in double-quick time, the pair peppering the boundary in their better-than-a-run-a-ball half-centuries.But a middle-over squeeze slowed the run-rate and brought a succession of regular wickets.Left-arm spinner Andrew Neal broke the Das/Westley alliance when Das clipped off-balance to midwicket, before Westley followed when Tilak Varma brilliantly caught him at short fine leg.Luc Benkenstein slashed to short cover, Noah Thain powered to midwicket, and Nick Browne drove to first slip to hand Abbott his second.At 189 for 6 in the 35th over, the visitors were in danger of a seriously under-par score but Allison and Simon Fernandes revved things back into life with a no thrills partnership.Allison has had a stand-out 2025 having scored three centuries in the Rothesay County Championship, and continued that form with an unhurried 80.Fernandes had begun his One-Day Cup campaign with an unbeaten 46, and followed that with 41. But as the pair looked to accelerate Essex suffered their second slump to get bowled out for 285.Both fell in back-to-back deliveries, both caught trying to go big, while Shane Snater was bowled and Jamie Porter was caught behind.The hosts needed to go at under a run-a-ball and they stuck to that mission like a limpet.Ali Orr and Nick Gubbins eased through the new ball until the former fell to the final ball of the powerplay when Charlie Bennett bowled a snorter to get a tickle behind.Gubbins followed his century against Glamorgan with 40 but top-edged a sweep to short fine but Hampshire gained control through Tilak Varma and Weatherley.The pair put on 98 to take a huge bite into the target. Indian Varma was mostly circumspect apart from crisp shots down the ground and an incredible reverse six.He was bowled trying to charge Westley having reached a fifty before Tom Prest gifted Westley his third wicket – he returned three for 39.Weatherley had a strong Vitality Blast before a successful return to the Championship side, and oozed class throughout his innings.He dominated a 47-run partnership with Ben Mayes and then joined with Felix Organ to rush to the winning line.Weatherley reached three figures with a luscious strike through long on as part of three boundaries in a row which took the runs required to single figures. A six in the following over secured the points.
Maxwell expects to re-join a power-packed middle-order when Travis Head returns
Alex Malcolm28-Jul-2025
Glenn Maxwell hit 47 in 18 balls•Randy Brooks/AFP via Getty Images
Glenn Maxwell expects his move to open the batting in the T20I series against West Indies will be brief once Travis Head makes a likely return for the home series against South Africa in August as Australia look to settle their line-up as they build towards the 2026 World Cup.Maxwell batted at No. 5 in the first game of the series, one slot lower than his customary No. 4 position where he has batted 61 times in his career, to allow Cameron Green an opportunity at second drop.He was then shifted to open for just the fourth time in his career when Tim David returned from injury for game two in the absence of the resting Head and injured back-up opener Matthew Short.Related
Maxwell, Inglis and Green carry Australia to 4-0
More than a finisher: David soars to new heights
'He's playing beautifully' – Is Green Australia's new T20 middle-order fulcrum?
Maxwell, who has scored 145 not out and 66 in previous T20Is opening the batting, was promoted to the top in the main because Australia anticipated a lot of spin to be bowled in the powerplay. While that was the case in Jamaica, both sides have veered away from spin bowlers at the tiny Warner Park in St Kitts.Maxwell returned scores of 12 off 10, 20 off 7 and 47 off 18 and looked ominous in all three innings. But he insists he is unlikely to stay there beyond this series with Head likely to partner skipper Mitchell Marsh moving forward while Josh Inglis looks settled at No. 3.”It’s been great fun being at the top, but I’m sure I’m just warming Heady’s seat until he comes back,” Maxwell said. “I think the way we’re probably going to set up our T20 side heading forward is you’ve got Travis up the top, you’ve got Mitch Marsh who is captaining us brilliantly at the moment.”Ingo is doing a great job at No.3 and the rest of the order falls into place around that. We’ve got some unbelievable power hitting at the moment, we’ve seen some guys really put their hand up – Tim David, Mitch Owen and Cameron Green – throughout the middle.”They’re three pretty big blokes with big reach and they hit the ball an absolute mile so it’s great to have those guys with that extra bit of power in the middle-order.”It’s not something we’ve had an abundance of over the years and to have that at our disposal at the moment is pretty exciting.”Cameron Green has been in sparkling form at No. 4•Randy Brooks/AFP via Getty Images
Green’s growth at No. 4 and David’s century in his first opportunity batting inside the powerplay at No. 5 for Australia outside of rain-shortened matches, gives the selectors a multitude of options heading towards the World Cup in terms of how they shape the middle-order.Maxwell’s record at No. 4 is exceptional, having scored four T20I centuries in that position, but his best performances in franchise cricket over the last eight months have come at No. 6. He was BBL player of the tournament and won Melbourne Stars four games in a row with scores of 20* off 10, 58* off 32, and 90 off 52 at No. 6 plus 76* off 32 at No. 5. After a difficult IPL for Punjab Kings, he made an unbeaten 106 off 49 balls in MLC at No. 6 for Washington Freedom last month.Green’s consistency and his ability to handle pace in the powerplay, as well as spin post powerplay, could see Maxwell deployed later in the order in Australia’s first choice XI.”It’s been great to see the growth of some of the guys and Greeny in this series has been absolutely outstanding,” Maxwell said. “We’re seeing him turn into a really consistent and solid T20 player and it’s just so exciting for Australian cricket to see these guys with this sort of power and it’s going to be dangerous for a lot of teams heading forward.”A middle-order of Green, David, Maxwell and Owen in some kind of combination is as powerful as Australia have ever produced while Marcus Stoinis still remains in consideration despite not playing in the West Indies series or the upcoming South Africa series.Maxwell remains a key contributor with the ball and in the field. He took two key wickets in the second T20I in Kingston and remains a vital match-up for left-handers in particular while his ability to bowl in the powerplay in India and Sri Lanka will also be crucial for Australia’s plans.Meanwhile at nearing 37, three years on from a broken leg that effectively ended his ODI career, he still remains Australia’s best outfielder with three stunning pieces of work in the fourth T20I on Saturday having a significant outcome on the match.”I practice a hell of a lot,” Maxwell said. “It’s something I pride myself on, making sure that I can create opportunities on the boundary line, and feel like I’m spreading the boundary a little bit longer and making the batters hit it a little bit further.”
قدّم النجم البرتغالي كريستيانو رونالدو، لفتة رائعة لزملائه في المنتخب وأخرى لأسرة الراحل ديوجو جوتا، لاعب ليفربول الذي لقى مصرعه قبل أشهر.
وكان منتخب البرتغال قد حسم التأهل إلى كأس العالم 2026 والذي يقام في شهر يونيو القادم، وتستضيفه الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية وكندا والمكسيك.
وبحسب ما ورد في صحيفة “ذا صن” البريطانية، كشف الصحفي نونو لوز، من قناة SIC، على التلفزيون البرتغالي أن رونالدو، قائد المنتخب البرتغالي، أرسل ساعات من ماركة Jacob and Co الفاخرة، لزملائه في الفريق.
كما أرسل رونالدو ساعة مصممة خصيصًا تحمل اسم جوتا ورقمه وأرسلها إلى عائلة اللاعب البرتغالي الراحل.
وعرض صانعو الساعات على وسائل التواصل الاجتماعي شكل التصاميم، ولا يوجد سوى 35 ساعة فقط بإصدار صنع خصيصًا للاعبي البرتغال.
وقالت شركة Jacob & Co: “مينا هيكلي، تصميم مُخصص، وشعار النبالة البرتغالي – ساعة استثنائية كالأبطال أنفسهم”.
وقال لوز: “هذه تفاصيل تُصنع دون ضجة إعلامية، وتُظهر أصالة كريستيانو رونالدو، غالبًا ما تكون لدى الناس صورة عنه لا تتوافق مع الواقع”.
اقرأ أيضًا | فيفا يعلن عقوبة رونالدو بعد واقعة “الكوع”.. وموقفه من أول مباراة في كأس العالم
ولم يعلن عن تكلفة الساعات، لكن أشارت صحيفة “ذا صن” البريطانية إلى أن ساعات Jacob & Co تُباع بعشرات الآلاف من الجنيهات الإسترلينية، والساعات المُخصصة ستكون أعلى سعرًا بالتأكيد.
كان جوتا قد لقى مصرعة هو وشقيقه أندريا سيلفا في حادث سيارة مروع بشهر يوليو الماضي، وأُقيمت جنازته في البرتغال، بحضور العديد من زملائه في ليفربول والمنتخب، ولم يتواجد رونالدو.
وغياب رونالدو عن جنازة جوتا كان محل سخرية كبيرة آنذاك، وصرّح البرتغالي في مقابلة مع بيرس مورجان مؤخرًا: “أمران، ينتقدني الناس كثيرًا، لا يهمني ذلك، عندما يكون ضميرك مرتاحًا وحرًا، لا داعي للقلق بشأن ما يقوله الناس”.
وأوضح: “لكن أحد الأشياء التي لا أفعلها؟ بعد وفاة والدي، لم أزر مقبرةً مرةً أخرى، عندما تعرفني وتعرف سمعتي؟ أينما ذهبت، يكون الأمر أشبه بسيرك، لا أخرج، لأني إن ذهبت، ينصبُّ عليّ الاهتمام. لا أريد هذا النوع من الاهتمام”.
وأكد رونالدو: “لا يعجبني أن تذهب إلى لحظة حساسة لإجراء مقابلات، للحديث عنه، للحديث عن كرة القدم، هذا يُظهر كيف أن السيرك هو الحياة أحيانًا، لستُ جزءًا منها، إذا أردتَ أن تكون جزءًا من هذا العالم، فحظًا سعيدًا، لكنني سأكون جزءًا من جانب آخر، يمكن للناس الاستمرار في انتقادي. شعرتُ بالارتياح لقراري”.
For the first time in a long time, West Ham fans had something to celebrate on the weekend.
Nuno Espírito Santo’s side had the daunting task of hosting a Newcastle United side that had just brushed aside Tottenham Hotspur during the week, so expectations were low.
However, much to the surprise of pundits and fans alike, the East Londoners were comfortably the better side, thanks to goals from Lucas Paqueta, Tomas Soucek, and Sven Botman, and ran out 3-1 winners.
There were impressive performances across the pitch for the hosts, with Freddie Potts looking particularly impressive. So fans should be delighted that the academy may be about to hand them someone who could be an even bigger prospect than the Englishman.
Potts' performance vs Newcastle
Given West Ham’s poor form over the last few months and the lack of dynamism in the midfield, there have been calls for Potts to be given a chance for some time.
In The Pipeline
Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.
Nuno finally gave in to those calls on Sunday afternoon, and instead of bringing the 22-year-old off the bench, he handed him his first competitive start for the club.
It turned out to be an excellent decision as, even before getting onto his technical qualities, the academy graduate added some desperately needed dynamism and physicality into the midfield.
He is by no means a fast player, but compared to the midfielders that Nuno has been starting in recent games, the difference was night and day.
Moreover, as journalist Alex Crook put it, he was “a real driving force for the Hammers,” and his statistics more than back up such an appraisal.
In his 90 minutes of action, the Barking-born monster played two key passes, completed two crosses, took 57 touches, won 66% of his tackles, made one interception, won three of four ground duels and made six clearances.
In short, it was a dream start for the academy product and one that could have been even better had it not been for the thinnest of offside margins.
With that said, while Potts could go on to become a star for West Ham, there is another prospect in the academy who could be even better.
West Ham's next Potts
West Ham have a proud history of producing brilliant young players, and while Potts is the name in the headlines today, it could be Preston Fearon in a couple of years.
The 18-year-old gem joined the Hammers in 2022 and, since then, has gone from strength to strength, progressing through the youth sides to sign his first professional contract last year and then secure another, longer-term deal just a few days ago.
One of the teenager’s significant strengths is that he can, and has played in several positions during his time in the academy, but like Potts, he thrives in the middle of the park.
Fearon’s West Ham Record
Position
Games
Goals
Assists
Central Midfield
15
0
5
Defensive Midfield
9
0
2
Attacking Midfield
2
0
0
Right Winger
1
0
0
Right Midfield
1
2
0
Centre-Back
1
1
0
All Stats via Transfermarkt
For example, since joining the Irons’ academy set-up, the youngster has made 40 appearances across the U18s and U21s, of which 15 have been in central midfield and nine in defensive midfield.
However, don’t be fooled into thinking that he can’t offer much going forward, as across those 40 appearances, totalling 2692 minutes, he has scored three goals and provided seven assists.
That works out to a goal involvement every 269.2 minutes, which for someone in his position is not bad at all.
Moreover, when discussing him on the website, Jarrod Bowen described the 18-year-old as a “special player” and noted that he has “never seen someone nutmeg so many people in training.”
Finally, the club also clearly rate the academy gem as they took him on the pre-season tour, where he featured against Manchester United.
Ultimately, Potts is the man of the moment, but in four years, when Fearon is the same age, don’t be surprised if he is already a first-team regular for West Ham.
West Ham player ratings v Newcastle United as Nuno secures first victory
The Hammers returned to winning ways with a 3-1 win against Newcastle this afternoon.